Virgilio Bote, president of Agua Tierra Oro Mina Development Corporation , told GMA Integrated News that he withdrew from the joint venture agreement on Thursday and would soon be removing his equipment from the area.The JVA, a copy of which was seen by GMA Integrated News, involves transforming the New Bilibid Prison reservation in Muntinlupa City into a commercial, residential and industrial area.
Once vacated, the 375.6-hectare Bilibid reservation would be turned into "a commercial, residential and industrial area at no cost on the part of BuCor." "The agreement will take effect from its execution for a period of twenty five years and renewal for another twenty five years," the agreement stated. The JVA likewise stated that the historical sites inside the reservation will not be part of the development plans.
"Sinubmit nya kay Sec. Guevarra, hinold po ni Sec. Guevarra. After three months nagtanong si DG Bantag kung bakit walang response. Wala ding response si Sec. Guevarra," he said. "Nung nagpunta ako kay Secretary Remulla sabi nya 'OK naman yan, sige pag-aralan natin.' Verbal lang na pag-aaralan sabi nya 'maganda yan pero pag-aralan muna natin.' Hanggang sa dumating ang problemang ito," Bote said.